LTL Freight Shipping: Competitive Rates, Expert Management, Full Visibility
LTL (Less-than-Truckload) freight shipping is a transportation method where multiple shippers share space on the same truck, each paying only for the portion of the trailer their freight occupies. LTL is ideal for shipments between 80 - 15,000 pounds, typically 1 to 6 standard pallets, that don't require a dedicated truck.
TLI serves commercial shippers with recurring freight needs across manufacturing, distribution, food & beverage, building materials, and industrial sectors.
Competitive LTL Rates
Gain access to competitive LTL Rates from national and regional carriers.
Document Management
Generate bill of ladings, access proof of deliveries, and manage all your LTL shipping documents in one place.
Carrier Management
Easily manage your LTL carriers, compare rates, and optimize routes for improved performance and cost savings.
LTL Services
TLI optimizes shipping modes, audits invoices, and manages freight claims to reduce costs.
One system for all your shipments - easily schedule shipments, compare LTL rates, and access tracking and cost analysis.
Contract Management
Let TLI manage your LTL carrier contracts to secure better shipping rates and terms, saving you time and money.
LTL Quote
TLI provides freight management services for commercial businesses with recurring shipping needs. We do not support one-time shipments or individual, personal shipping requests.
What is LTL Freight Shipping
Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping consolidates smaller freight from multiple shippers into a single trailer. Each shipper's freight is loaded, unloaded, and transferred at carrier freight terminals (called service centers) along the route. This process is commonly known as hub-and-spoke distribution. This model allows smaller businesses and manufacturers to access the same carrier network and service reliability as large-volume shippers, without paying for an entire truck.
LTL is distinct from full truckload (FTL) shipping, where a single shipper's freight occupies the entire trailer, and from parcel shipping, which handles small packages rather than palletized freight. LTL freight is priced based on weight, freight class (determined by density, handling difficulty, and liability), distance, and applicable accessorial charges.
How Less-than-Truckload Shipping Works
- Shipment Preparation: The shipper palletizes, packages, and labels their freight with a Bill of Lading (BOL) that includes commodity description, weight, and NMFC®* freight class
- Pickup: The LTL carrier dispatches a local driver to collect the freight and transport it to the nearest service center
- Line-Haul: The consolidated load moves via long-haul truck to the destination region's service center. The freight may go through multiple terminals along the way.
- Delivery: The destination terminal loads the freight onto a delivery trailer for a local driver to deliver it
Because LTL freight is handled multiple times (pickup, terminal, line-haul, delivery), proper packaging and accurate freight class are critical to avoiding damages and billing disputes.
How LTL Freight Pricing Works
LTL freight rates depend on four variables:
- Freight Class: based on density, stowability, handling, and liability. Classes range from 50 to 500. Use TLI's Freight Class Calculator to determine yours before quoting.
- Weight: LTL carriers price in weight breaks. Heavier shipments often hit a lower per-hundredweight (CWT) rate tier.
- Distance: rated by origin/destination ZIP via carrier tariff zones
- Additional Line Items: liftgate, residential delivery, inside delivery, limited access, redelivery fees, and fuel surcharges are billed as additional line items.
TLI's
ViewPoint TMS displays all accessorials at the point of quoting so you see the full landed cost before you book.
TLI's LTL Freight Program
- Multi-Carrier LTL Rate Quoting Via ViewPoint: compare national and regional carriers side by side in real time
- Freight Classification Support: TLI's team reviews commodity descriptions and assists with accurate class assignment to prevent reclassification disputes
- LTL Contract Management: TLI negotiates and manages blanket LTL pricing agreements and point-to-point contracts on behalf of shippers
- LTL Freight Audit: every LTL invoice is audited against the contract rate to catch overcharges, reweigh disputes, and accessorial billing errors
- Freight Claim Management: TLI files and manages LTL freight claims from damage or loss through carrier resolution services
- Carrier Performance Scorecards: Track on-time pickup/delivery, claim rates, and damage rates to optimize routing decisions
- ERP Integration: ViewPoint integrates with major ERP systems so LTL shipment data flows automatically into your operations platforms
LTL vs FTL vs Volume LTL: Which Mode Is Right?
Choosing between LTL, Full Truckload (FTL), and Volume LTL depends on shipment size, speed, and cost. LTL works best for smaller shipments, FTL is ideal for full trailer loads or time-sensitive freight, and Volume LTL offers a cost-effective option for larger shipments that do not require a dedicated trailer.
| Factor | LTL (Less-than-Truckload) | Volume LTL | FTL (Full Truckload) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight Range | 80 - 10,000 lbs | 5,000 - 20,000 lbs | 20,000+ lbs |
| Pallet Count | 1-6 | 6-18 | 20+ |
| Pricing Basis | Class + Weight + Distance | Negotiated per Shipment | Per mile / Flat Rate |
| Transit Time | Longer (Hub & Spoke) | Varies | Fastest (Direct) |
| Best for | Regular B2B replenishment | Large Consolidated Loads | Time-sensitive, high-value, oversized, or full pallet loads |
Not sure which mode fits your freight? TLI's mode optimization team evaluates your lane data and recommends the lowest cost routing.
Common LTL Accessorial Charges and How to Avoid Them
| Accessorial | Triggered By | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Liftgate at Pickup/Delivery | Location without a dock | Confirm dock availability before booking |
| Residential Delivery | Delivery to non-commercial address | Ship to a commercial address or freight terminal when possible |
| Inside Delivery | Carrier is required to move freight inside past dock | Clarify delivery scope in advance |
| Re-Delivery | Consignee is unavailable for delivery on attempt at no fault of carrier | Ensure delivery notification contacts are current |
| Reweigh/Reclassification | Freight weight or class differs from BOL | Use TLI's density calculator and accurate NMFC classification |
| Limited Access | Special Locations (schools, military bases, churches, farms) | Flag in advance; TLI pre-screens for accessorials |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum weight for LTL Freight?
Most LTL carriers require a minimum of 150–500 pounds, though the practical minimum for cost-effective LTL is approximately 80–100 pounds for a single pallet. Shipments under 80 pounds are often more economically handled as small parcel.
How does LTL freight class affect my shipping rate?
LTL freight class is assigned by the NMFC® system based on density, stowability, ease of handling, and liability. A higher freight class means a higher rate. Misclassifying freight triggers reclassification fees at delivery. TLI's team reviews commodity descriptions before booking to prevent disputes.
How Long Does LTL Shipping Take?
Regional LTL typically delivers in 1–3 business days. Cross-country LTL runs 5–7 business days. TLI's ViewPoint TMS shows carrier-specific transit times at the point of quoting.
What are LTL accessorial charges and how do I avoid them?
Accessorials are fees triggered by conditions not standard to pickup and delivery. Liftgate service, residential addresses, limited access locations, and redelivery attempts are some examples. TLI pre-screens every shipment for accessorial triggers and flags them before booking.
How does TLI get competitive LTL rates?
TLI leverages 30 years of carrier volume and contracted pricing across hundreds of national and regional LTL carriers. Individual shippers rarely qualify for contracted rates. TLI's buying power extends those rates to every client through ViewPoint TMS.
Can TLI handle LTL shipments with hazardous materials?
Yes. TLI's hazmat freight team routes DOT-classified dangerous goods via compliant carriers and manages all required documentation across hazard classes.
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Acknowledgment of NMFTA's Trademark
Whenever our educational content refers to the National Motor Freight Classification, we want readers to understand that the term NMFC is a registered trademark of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). Our goal is to provide helpful industry education while also respecting the intellectual property rights of the NMFTA. Whenever we discuss topics related to freight classification, density, or commodity groupings, we recognize that NMFC identifies the official classification standard maintained and licensed by the NMFTA.
NMFTA is the owner of the National Motor Freight Classification®, more commonly known as the NMFC® (“NMFC”).